Widow Pension-West Bengal

Widow Pension Scheme in West Bengal

The Government of West Bengal has introduced the “Widow Pension” scheme to offer financial assistance to widows facing economic difficulties. Launched in 2010 by the Women and Child Development and Social Welfare Department, this initiative aims to empower widows and enhance their quality of life.

Overview of the Scheme

The “Widow Pension” scheme, initiated by the West Bengal government in 2010, is designed to provide essential financial aid to widows who are struggling to make ends meet. This program reflects the state’s commitment to supporting vulnerable women in society.

Key Benefits

• Monthly Financial Assistance: Beneficiaries receive ₹1,000/- per month through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the Widow Pension scheme, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• The applicant must be a widow.
• She must be at least 60 years old.
• The individual should be an Indian citizen and a resident of West Bengal.
• The family’s monthly income must not exceed ₹1,000/-.
• The applicant should not be supported by any relatives.
• Residency in West Bengal for a minimum of ten years is required at the time of application.
• Professional beggars and mendicants are ineligible for this pension.

How to Apply

Applications for the Widow Pension can be submitted offline. The process involves obtaining the application form (Form-P) from designated offices, which are as follows:

• Rural Areas: Visit the Office of the Block Development Officer or the Executive Officer of the concerned Panchayat Samity.
• Municipal/Notified Areas: Apply at the Office of the Sub-Divisional Officer.
• Kolkata Municipal Corporation Areas: Obtain the form from the Office of the Controller of Vagrancy, West Bengal located at Purta Bhawan, Bidhan Nagar, Kolkata-700091.

Information Required for Application

When filling out the application form, the following details must be provided:

• Personal Information
• Contact Information
• Details of any disability and the percentage of disability
• Bank Account Information

Documents Needed

Applicants must submit the following documents along with their application:

• Self-attested copy of Aadhaar card
• Self-attested copy of Ration Card
• Self-attested copy of Voter ID
• Self-attested copy of Disability Certificate (if applicable)
• Self-attested copy of Income Certificate
• Self-attested copy of Husband’s Death Certificate
• Self-attested copy of Bank Passbook
• Nomination Form (in case of death)
• Recent passport-sized photograph

Submission of Application

The completed application form must be directed to the appropriate authority based on the applicant’s residency:

• If residing in rural areas, address the application to the District Magistrate and submit it to the Block Development Officer or the Executive Officer of the Panchayat Samity.
• If residing in municipal/notified areas outside Kolkata, submit the application to the District Magistrate and the Sub-Divisional Officer.
• If within the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, the application should be submitted to the Controller of Vagrancy, West Bengal.

Official Information Source

For further details, please visit myScheme.gov.in.